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At MEIRU, we are committed to conducting research that is not only rigorous but also deeply relevant to the communities we serve. A central part of this commitment is holding regular engagement meetings with our community advisory groups (CAGs) and the wider community, ensuring that dialogue and collaboration remain at the heart of our work.
As part of the Mental Health Data Prize (MHDPA) initiative, we recently hosted two community engagement workshops in Area 25, Lilongwe and Chilumba, Karonga. These sessions were co-facilitated by our mental health leads, Angella Mainjeni (Mental Health Clinician) and Innocent Nyanjagha (Mental Health Clinic Lead), alongside colleagues with lived experience of mental health (PLE). The workshops provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing mental health research at MEIRU and how data from our studies is being used within the MHDPA project.
Facilitation was enriched by lived experts from the Mental Health Users and Carers Association (MEHUCA), as well as individuals who are receiving care at MEIRU’s Mental Health Clinics – many of whom are represented in the datasets. Their voices grounded the discussions in lived realities, ensuring that research reflects genuine community experiences and priorities.
The workshops generated strong interest in mental health, with participants requesting more training and information to help them share knowledge within their communities. They emphasized the importance of being involved throughout the research process not only at dissemination – underscoring the value of co-creation and transparency.
